By Beth Sluys
Northside News
When youth football at Warner Park ended, it left a gap in the community for opportunities for youth sports. Coach Sherman Lightfoot saw that gap and started MadTown Elite (MTE) Bulldogs.
Established in the fall of 2023, with the support of Laborers Union 464 and Cement Finishers Union 599, the program launched by offering a 5-week season for a Spring Tackle League in Wisconsin, the first ever in the state. In March 2024, the program included 60 players and included an opportunity for a scrimmage game at Soldier Field in Chicago. The MTE Bulldogs went on to win a 2024 Championship.
While proud of the win, Lightfoot mostly spoke to “bringing joy to the game” and how coaching is the “greatest gift.” “I enjoy coaching because of the opportunity to mentor young people and to help them to be successful not only in the game of football, but in the game of life,” said Lightfoot. He enjoys working with the team members to help them grow through discipline and dedication to the team as a whole, and to themselves.
Janny Suy’s son, Viren, is on the team and shared how her son has enjoyed being part of the MTE Bulldogs. “He appreciates the encouragement from Coach Lightfoot and the comradery that has developed among the team members.”
With a couple of seasons played and many of the athletes from last year returning, Lightfoot is setting his sights for the team to make it to the Pop Warner Superbowl in North Carolina in December 2025. Being part of the Mid-America Pop Warner organization requires that team members focus on scholastics. As part of the program, academically accomplished students are eligible to win scholarships.
In addition to the football program, there is a cheer team component for area youth. Last year’s cheer team hosted six members with the hope of growing the team in 2025.
Local community support for the MTE Bulldogs is growing and includes the Mallards hosting MadTown Elite Bulldogs Night on May 29, when Lightfoot and his team members will take to the pitcher’s mound for the first pitch. The spring season started in early March and will move from Black Hawk Middle School to the Warner Park football field when the weather gets milder. While there is a fee structure for being on the team, there are scholarships available for those interested in joining the football or cheer team.
For more information or to register, visit the MTE Bulldogs website at mte
bulldogs.org.
